The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-09-20

The victim shuddered. There was
something horrible In the idea Of being
killed by the bright luminary whose rays
had all his life given him light and
warmth.
He knew that even In the large cities of
Mexico what was called the midday gun
was fired in this ingenious fashion during
the dry season. For six months In the
year there was never cloud In the sky,
and the action of the lens was as sure rs
fate itself.
The guard paced up and down his beat,
and Pierre was left to his meditations.
He struggled until his strength was
gone, trying to loosen his bonds but 1t
was useless.
His head fell upon his breast. and he
closed his eyes. But he could not calm
himself, and he again looked around tho
square. All Of the soldiers were march-
ing off with the exception of one company
1t was evident that the French were not
supposed to 70 in the neighborhood.
"Strangcr things have happened,
thought Pierre; 81 may yet be rescued"
His eyes turned upward and he saw
that the sun was almost directly over
head.
He glanced down the gun to the prim.
ing and 1t seemed to him that he could
hear the fixing noise Of the powder.
The sun was intensely hot, and this in
spired terror.
"Saints abovep' groaned the poor
wretch. son such II day as this the gun
will go off ahead of rime"
What did it natter A few minutes
would not save him. The glass shone
with IN Internal brilliancy, and not u
speck of cloud was to be seen.
'If ever do get out of this" grunted
Pierre.
He did not say what he would No.
There was no Use in making any promises.
Higher and higher in the heavens moved
the flaming orb. Surely it was noonl
The half fainting prisoner held his
breath The muscles of his face twitched
nervously, and his eyes were fixed with an
| intense stare upon the other end of the gun
Like the echo of an echo came II familiar
sound waited upon the mountain breezes.
"God!" gasped the miserable man
through his palld lips.
Was it n bugle? Even If 1t was it was
too late. II relief came it would have to
be at once.
Louder, clearer sounded the triumphant
| q,
the listener had ever heard He threw his
head back, and the light of hope and cour-
age danced in his eyes.
1.-The devilr' he shouted "whether am
saved or not, these yellow dogs will soon
bite the dustn
The Mexicans heard the French bugles,
and In another moment Quinquambo was
| in tumult Of disorder
r.. 9 A1,..t lnH
by the departure of their comrades in the
morning were unable to cope with any
thing like strong force, and no sooner
did the French dash through the outposts
than the Mexicans fled to the woods, fully
half of them being shot down before they
reached shelter.
Perre's bonds were cut by. n trooper,
who with three whacks Of his saber cut
the prisoner free.
To Pierre's Unreasonable qualification,
Col. Campos and his command had been
captured on the way and brought to town
by the raiders. u,
II must sec him." said the spy. 81
have u little settlement to make with him. "
Boom
"Sacrer' yelled Pierre, chad forgotten
all about the gunH'
The smoke slowly lifted, and on the
open side of the plaza was seen group OF
dead and dying Mexicans. The discharge
had occurred Just as the prisoners were
marching by.
One of the unfortunates was lying on
his face, but his uniform showed him to
be an officer of high rank.
Pierre turned this man over, gave one
look ut his fcce and then fell upon his
knees in prayer of thanksgiving.
In the dead man he had recognized Col
Campos. Wallace p. Reed in Atlanta
Constitution.